The Vampire Diaries Burning Question: What’s So Special About Doppelganger Blood?

What’s a gang of gypsy witches to do with a few buckets of doppelganger blood? Exactly the question we’re asking ourselves after watching the last few episodes of The Vampire Diaries. In Season 5, Episode 11 (“500 Years of Solitude”), the Travelers collected two buckets of Stefan and Elena’s blood without so much as a hint as to what they might use it for. The Travelers are a confusing sort.

To gain control of the doppelgangers

We’re heard a lot about the prophecies that the doppelganger descendants of Silas and Amara are meant to be with one another, and we’re beginning to think there’s more to the story. If the universe really does control the fate of these doppelgangers, is there a way for another group to commandeer that power? If so, they could be quite powerful, especially given that we’re still unsure just how many doppelgangers there are out there in the world. Could the Travelers have plans to create their own doppelganger army?

To kill all the vampires

We’re hesitant to suggest this one given that we’ve met a few Travelers so far who are also vampires — for one, Nadia — which implies they don’t necessarily buy into the idea that all vampires are evil. On the other hand, Nadia could be an exception to the rule — a pawn used to get closer to the vampires of Mystic Falls. We have heard a lot about this Markos character who will be coming to town. Might he have a plan to rid the world of all vampires? Perhaps, with the help of Dr. Wes and his vampire cannibal research?

To rule the Other Side

As evidence by the Travelers’ “protection” of Amara the anchor to the Other Side for thousands of years, these witches seem to have an intense interest in the supernatural purgatory to which Bonnie now acts as the gateway. What do they want to do with the Other Side? Well, they actively tried to keep Silas from destroying it, so it makes more sense that they might want to control it. In which case, Bonnie better watch her back.

To bring someone back from the Other Side

Or, they want to retrieve something or someone from the Other Side. So far, future big baddie Markos has been described as a “charismatic but imposing leader from a faraway land.” The Other Side is about as far away as you can get without being really, really dead. It is another sort of dimension. We think the TVD marketing department might be getting clever with us, and that Markos is currently a resident of the Other Side, waiting to be retrieved by his Traveler followers.

What do you think the Travelers need the blood for? Share your theories in the comments below!

The Vampire Diaries airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.

Kayti Burt is a contributing writer for Wetpaint Entertainment with a penchant for all things pop culture. Follow her on Twitter and Google+!